Walthamstow greyhound stadium to close
When I lived in Stoke Newington I got to know the North Circular pretty well. One of the great sights just off that road was the Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium, with its illuminated facade redolent of the fairground.
A night at the greyhounds isn’t my preferred entertainment, to be honest. I’d rather see a play or an opera, or spend the evening in the pub. But I have been to the dogs one or two times, and it’s an enjoyable way of passing time with your mates - better than ten pin bowling, anyway (IMHO). And less dangerous than go-karting; but I’ll save that particula story for another time.
If you fancy a night out at Walthamstow, though, you don’t have long to do it. The stadium will close for good in August.
There are two reasons. One is that greyhound racing just isn’t cutting edge entertainment any more. It’s the kind of thing your grandad used to do. The rise of the betting shop and its all-day television fodder means that if dog racing is your thing, you no longer need to go to the track. Other stadiums have closed already - London will be left with just two, Wimbledon and Romford.
But I suspect the other reason is that London perennial - you make more money by selling land for housing development than by running a viable business.
It’s the end of 75 years of history. And I shall miss the light display.
Photo credit: DanPea on Flickr
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POSTED IN: Attractions
9 opinions for Walthamstow greyhound stadium to close
Stephen Ball
May 29, 2008 at 9:16 am
What a great shame this Wembley of greyhound
stadiums is about to close for good. Having lived in Highams Park E4 and within sight of the old stadium I can still clearly recall the sound of the bell just before the start of each race and in particular the roar of the crowd as the Hare
raced around the track as the last race got under way. Soon only memories, very sad indeed.
martin
Jul 1, 2008 at 4:59 pm
what an awful shame walthamstow stadium has fell victim to todays greed, the stow is a thriving business employing more than 400 people and entertaining thousands more every week, the owners say attendances are down but on a recent visit i found the place packed to the rafters with people of all creeds having a great family night out, i had to queue for ten miniutes just to get a drink at the bar and another five mins to place a bet, why didnt the owners sell it to someone who would continue to run it as a greyhound stadium rather than someone who wants to tear it down and build a maze of studio flats in its place, i fear the people of walthamstow and surrounding areas wont realize what they have until its gone, what a shame!!
Andrea
Jul 2, 2008 at 1:48 am
I’m glad to find people who love the greyhound track commenting on this blog - I wondered if it was only me. It can be a great night out - just as good as a day horse racing, but very much cheaper. And besides, you have to go outside the M25 to find a horse racing track.
Liz Wheel
Jul 3, 2008 at 3:57 pm
It is good that greyhound racing is losing popularity and stadiums are beginning to close. While the night out may provide a thrill, thousands of greyhounds are suffering behind the scenes and many die once they are no longer fit for racing, by the age of 3yrs.
They make wonderful pets and this industry is participating in a tragedy on a huge scale. Thousands upon thousands of greyhounds are killed each year simply so people can have a boozy night out. It is scandelous and if more people were aware of this fact, more would adopt retired greyhounds as they make great pets, and fewer people would attend and bet on racing.
Andrea
Jul 3, 2008 at 6:34 pm
You make a good point about greyhounds ’surplus to requirements’ being put down. Yes, it does happen. But many people in greyhound racing think that’s a dreadful thing - one of my friends now has four very happy ex-racing greyhounds, one now very old but still able to race around the local park like a seasoned professional! I wish we could keep our racetracks, but I’d like to see the tracks putting more effort into finding good homes for retired greyhounds. They do make wonderful pets, I absolutely agree with you on that - some of the very nicest dogs that I have ever met (and I’m really a cat person).
martin
Jul 3, 2008 at 7:27 pm
i have to say liz wheel, greyhounds love running, it is in thier genes, i dont think its cruel to allow them to run races at stadiums such as walthamstow, if there was no such thing as greyhound racing then there probably would not be as many greyhounds in existence, if the greyhounds didnt like running then they simply wouldnt run! i have a staffordshire bull terrier and he absolutely loves to run when he is over the park and has a whale of a time, im sure the greyhounds feel the same,i think the closure of walthamstow stadium will create more problems for our beloved greyhounds (whether you like them for thier placid ways or thier capability to run very fast), most of the greyhounds that currently run at the stow will have difficulty finding new courses to run at, this will increase the chances of some of them being made redundant, and therefore more at risk of being put down! the closure of walthamstow stadium may be a victory for you on the surface but the longterm consequences will have a much more serious effect on the future of our beloved greyhounds, i hope you understand my point, long live the stow, walthamstow will not be the same without it.
Andrea
Jul 3, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Martin, I bet your Staffie can’t beat a greyhound, eh? :-)
martin
Jul 3, 2008 at 7:50 pm
hmmm im not so sure, hes a nippy little thing, would be a great night if we could have a novelty race with staffs, trouble is, they would all be in a massive fight even before the race started, typical staffs lol, sometimes the stow hosts a novelty race run by afghan hounds, its quite a spectacle,they bounce around looking pleasingly at thier owners instead of running the race, its something you have to see to understand, its a sad shame that these nights will cease within the next few weeks, this is yet another reason why i love the stow, its pure family entertainment and im sure the animals love it just as much!!
Liz Wheel
Aug 18, 2008 at 6:32 am
No-one disuptes that some greyhounds enjoy running - but in the park - not with a number on their back. Also, thousands are being put down anyway so the closure of the Stow will safeguard greyhounds’ futures. If one dog (Top Honcho) can breed over 9000 dogs, this is gross irresponsibility and the fault of an exploitative industry concerned only with money and reputation. Do you really think all those dogs will find homes? Most will be put down before their 3rd year.
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